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Updated: May 27, 2025
"The whole heath seems alive to-day," he murmured, and added, smiling, "of course, it is mid summer night." Soon after him the twins came home with wild hair and flushed faces. They declared the vicar had told them their fortunes by cards till midnight. They would soon get husbands. Giggling, they slipped away into their bedroom. Old Meyerhofer revelled in happiness.
Four weeks had passed since that midsummer night, when there came from Helenenthal two cards of invitation one for Meyerhofer junior and the other for the young ladies. "For a garden party," they said. "Aha! they court our favor already," the old man cried, "the rats smell the bacon."
His mother made a movement as if to cross over to her, but Meyerhofer seized her skirt, and said, louder than necessary, "If you dare!" Paul felt as if paralyzed. His knees shook under him; a dull weight pressed upon his forehead which rendered him incapable of thought. "You will bring shame on her," he murmured incessantly, but without knowing what he was saying.
And only on this assurance he had gone with him, for to stay in one place longer than eight days was against his principles. Hereupon he was driven from the farm. Next day Meyerhofer sent for the village blacksmith, that he might look at the damage. He again fumbled about the engine for a few days, ate and drank for two, and declared in the end that if it was not all right now the devil was in it.
Since the middle of the day a long row of carriages had passed the Haidehof, and old Meyerhofer, who did not like staying at home when anything was going on, had suddenly been overcome by a fit of kindness, and called out to his womenfolk to get ready as quickly as possible; he would sacrifice himself and take them to the festivity.
The former owner wished to have the mortgage paid off, and there was no prospect of any one lending the necessary sum. Meyerhofer drove to the town three or four times weekly, and returned home late at night dead drunk. Sometimes he stayed away for the whole night. Frau Elsbeth meanwhile sat upright in her bed and stared into the darkness.
Meyerhofer stretched himself out in his chair and threw defiant glances all around. He thought himself a greater man than ever to-day a hero and a martyr at the same time. The door opened, and Douglas appeared with Elsbeth on the threshold. Meyerhofer cast a poisonous glance at him and laughed scornfully to himself.
His people had each time brought home twenty to twenty-five marks clear gain, and said that there was far more to be gained still in this way, because black, firm peat was an article much in demand in the market. But Meyerhofer was not to be induced to utilize the moor in this manner.
"But now, Mr. Meyerhofer, when all is going on so well?" he said. "Yes, going on so well," he murmured, thoughtfully. "Shame added to misfortune! the man is right." "Something has upset me," he then said, "which has given me a disgust for work. Let us leave it for the moment, and when the time comes I will send for you again." His father bitterly complained over the disturbance in the night.
"No offence to you," the former answered; "but you have so much to do with your company you naturally cannot bother about such trifles." Meyerhofer bowed, flattered, and Paul felt ashamed for him, for he well understood the irony of these words. Mrs. Douglas, smiling, beckoned him to come to her. She seized his hand and stroked it.
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